dsbnliteracyk12 - Projects and Initiatives

Title with Projects/Initiatives	Who	Feedback and Questions	Update and Key Dates	Connection to this group/SSS	Action/Next Steps
DSBN Anthology in FC: SSS > Literacy >Anthology	Cheryl Caldwell, Gerda Klassen	We think it is a great idea! Who would like to help? Responses to be in colour	We are doing one this year - 2nd edition to be launched	Celebrates cross-curricular literacy and inclusive to staff and students	Request from Cheryl to support through collection of pieces (art and literature) in all subject areas.
Arts and Literacy	Kristin Willms, Gerda Klassen	We will be looking at thinking skills connecting the arts to literacy. This project will be teacher-driven with 2 junior teachers attending together to allow for co-planning and co-teaching	8 sessions, half days, once per month starting in Nov.	Will connect to the co-teaching that is being encouraged with our lead literacy teachers and coaches and connects the arts with literacy, also will incorporate critical thinking skills	Promote this exciting learning opportunity with junior teachers who would be interested in joining this learning group. Applications are due by the end of October.
Lucy Calkins Units of Study for Teaching Writing K-2, 3-5	Ann Milligan, Paula McIntee	This is a collaborative inquiry project that is being offered again based on the success of last year's project. There is space for 25 K-2 teachers and 25 Gr. 3-5 teachers. Teachers will explore the methods and structure of writers' workshop.	6 afterschool sessions, starting in Dec., DRRC	When reading and writing are taught together in meaningful contexts, students are required to use a higher level of thinking.	Promote this learning opportunity with K-5 teachers who would be interested in joining this collaborative inquiry. Flyer and application will be going out soon and due by the end of Nov.
Support of Literacy Skills through Technology	Greg Porter	I need to discuss the use of technology with each of the team and work out a plan on how to best introduce and then support your plan with technology.	As required by each team member.	The use of technology can greatly improve the reading and written language skills of students. I can assist many of the group memebers in a large variety of ways.	Meet with each team group/member to discuss and plan for how technology can be fit into each initiative.
Teacher-Librarian Leadership Group Developing Collaboration Skills	Kelly Diiorio Ann Milligan	Elementary Teacher-Librarians will investigate effective teacher-librarian practice in collaborating with colleagues. They will explore ways to support student achievement through co-teaching and co-planning. TLs are working through a critical challenge in which they determine ways in which they are most able to effectively improve student achievement through their work.	2 seconded 1/2 day sessions and 3 after-school workshops Dec.- May Update: Meeting Dec. 14, next scheduled inservice Feb. 3.	Will foster collaboration through co-teaching and co-planning in cross-curricular contexts. Supporting literacy instruction within schools through additional literacy opportunities in the library program or through a collaborative effort between TL and teacher.	Promote this learning opportunity for 20 elementary teacher-librarians who would be interested in digging deeper with collaborative skills. Flyer and application will be posted by Nov. 11, 2009. Update: We had an overwhelming response and as a result now have 27 individuals in the group instead of the 20 originally planned.
Adding ELL strategies to Literacy Support Team's Next Steps Document	Stacy Turner	I would like to add links to *Many Roots Many Voices* as well as some documents I have uploaded to First Class. Question: I would also like to add links to documents some schools may not have (but may wish to order). What % of a book can be "copied" and uploaded legally? 10% we did put links to some professional resources that most schools would have ie Reading Power Thank you! (ST)	ongoing - hoping to complete draft additions beforewinter holidays Due to tight timeline (mat. leave soon!), John and I discussed submitting it directly to secretaries, and hopefully I will get a chance to review before I am off. Draft hard copy is currently with secretary and a copy to John (Dec 7/09)	Demonstrating how to tweak mainstream literacy strategies to meet the needs of ELLs.	I need to complete my draft and present it to Literacy Team for input. Let us know when you're ready and we would happily take a look When I am off, please feel free to revise/edit as you see fit.
Critical Thinking Skills for K/Gr.1	Kristin Willms, Elizabeth Freeman-Shaw, Ann Milligan, Paula McIntee	Professional learning opportunity for 10 school teams of a K and Gr.1 teacher focused on developing and using high yield strategies that engage our youngest learners and improve student literacy through the explicit instruction and use of critical thinking skills.	4 full day sessions (Jan. 8, Feb. 8, Mar TBD, May 14)	critical thinking coplanning/coteaching	school teams currently being selected through application process due Dec. 12th
Let's Talk About It Oral Language	Kristin Willms. ELL intinerant teacher, Bev Brooks	Let's Talk About It Oral Language - Reading and Writing Program for 15 school teams, K and Grade 1, is a sequential, structured approach to build students' oral language capacities and develop their ability to distinguish print, expand print concepts, and develop a sense of author. Essential for low language, at-risk students and is ideal for ELL students.	3 half day sessions (Jan. 19, Mar. 5, May 5)	priority schools schools with high ELL population	school teams currently being selected through application process due Dec. 12th Please let us know if you need assistance in determining schools with high ELL numbers (ST).
Critical Thinking Secondary Team	Elizabeth Freeman-Shaw Sean Hanna Cheryl Caldwell	Professional learning opportunity for 23 secondary teachers in History,Geography, Family Studies, Science and English from 10 Secondary Schools focused on developing and using critical thinking as embedded practice in their teaching to improve student learning	6 full day sessions October - April	Critical Thinking Co-planning (teams of teachers from schools or partners working in similar divisions or content areas) Membership includes teams from Perfomance Plus schools	Teams have been working with the model in their schools.
Critical Thinking Elementary Team	Elizabeth Freeman-Shaw Sean Hanna Gerda Klassen Literacy Resource Team Nancy Theal Pat Milot	Professional learning opportunity for 60 Elementary teachers & Literacy Coaches/Leads from 42 schools, focused on developing and using critical thinking as embedded practice in their teaching to improve student learning in Literacy & Content areas.	6 full day sessions October - May	Critical Thinking Co-planning (teams of teachers from schools or partners working in similar divisions or content areas) Membership includes teams from Perfomance Plus schools	Teams have been working with the model in their schools.
Priority Schools NetBooks Project	Todd Sniezek, Kelly Diiorio, Greg Porter	10 elementary schools have been given labs of NetBook computers (class set.) Identified teachers within these schools are being encouraged to use this technology as a tool to improve student achievement. Schools: FJ Rutland, Battlefield, James Morden, Mathews, Empire, Central, Jacob Beam, Connaught, EI McCulley and Maywood.	Year-long project with some inservice dates, class visits, online meetings, etc.

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